Slack-loop washing machine and method



May 13, 1930. H. c. RlGGs SLAGK LOOP WASHING MACHINEAND METHOD Filed Aug. 14. 192e i PatentedMay 17,3, 1930 a nonna c. Rises, .orfoaANeEfMAssAcHUsnrrs,AssIGNoa 'rofRonNEYHHuN'r CHINE COMPANY, or ORANGE, 'MAssAcHUsETTs A coaroRA'rIoN or MAssAcnU- 'Y sErTs n :sLAcx-LoorkwAsHrNG nA'cHIui-a AND armaron Application fue@ August 14,

fThis invention` relates toI a washing-`1na chine `for strands of -textile'goods used" l1n the wet linishing process and to amethod of treating the goods; l Y. A I

Theprincipal objects of the invention are topprovide a washingmachinejand process forthe abovementioned general purpose in p whichgthe loops of `the material are kept in slack condition all the way through-thema chine, thus providinggan' extremely long contact'ofthe goods withthe liquor and increas-V ing the time required for any particular partl of the goods to' stay in the liquor, thus more thoroughly soaking it and taking up'liquo'r toa greater extent than would-'bethe'case if the goods were under tension; also to provide Jfor the use of'a 'comparativelyA weakerV solution, thus reducing the cost` of operation and having an improved elect upon the cloth;V toj provide a machineiin which the goods Yare inconstant motion all the way through the machine; to provide means for"V taking the dirty waterr out of themain rolls and carrying it oitfromthe machinesoas Ato prevent the contamination 'of the goods thereby; to provide for directing a spray of Water yagainst Veach string of goods as itis moving up 'in the machine towardl the nip of 'the main rolls forfmore effectively cleansing and rinsing; to provide a machinefinfwhich-f every yard of material is subjected tothe same kind of treatment and for the sani'e length of time, thus securing aV uniform product; and toprovide a folding device adapted to act on the goods uniformly so that every yard is treated alike kas stated above?. and lsothat Vno bunches of cloth are `gatheredfto` gether where the goods arecompressed and there `will be nol thin or open spaces of the goods as they pass through the liquor.f

The invention alsov involvesmany other features particularly the gentle action of the machine on the goods V.due to the -fact that the goods are notunder strain or tension. at any time during their passage through theY machine. The rolls usually employed Yand turned by friction of the goods are entirely eliminated. The shrinkage of the goods has no effect on'the actionV and cannot'increase the tension because there is none.` The only i926. seal im. "129,241,

sequently the only water which needbe addedV as the process goes onris the amount equal to that squeezed out by the main rolls plus that yrequiredifor Yfilling the tub once or twice a heproblem of threading acontinuous spiral slack ,.loopf machine heretofore has practically' excluded'. this type of machine. This machine-involves three elementsro'rv features which do 'away vwith this kind of trouble.

1. `The plating .of thev goods 'clown uni'-V formly, in the back of the tub .sol that they slidedownV Ithecurved Vwall-toward the front of the machine inuniform orderly folds,- each` string inpits 1,own :path so that tangling is avoided. if, 1 Y i Y 2..,Thef bottom of the tub is so curved as to allow the strands to feed down vgently by gravity thus preventingtangles andsimilar mechanical troubles.

Y, 3. The meansfor folding the cloth is placed at exactly theproperpointv with relation to.

the curve of the` tub,

The wringer ,or squeeze rolls are attached` f direotlyftoy the-. de'ivery endof the ,tub,thus

avoiding a separate `machine-and a separate drive at addedjexpense. The..wringer is also driven fronrthe main `part or` the'washer itself so that it necessarily operates inv synchronism with the washer, thus eliminatingI the pulleys, clutches, etc. and preventing tension.;l An apronKV is provided under the` wringer'tosave the liquor squeezed out., ,y VItwill be obvious that by eliminating the tension on the goods, the power required to weightl ofY the machines can be run one operator,V thus i "reducingthelabor cost:l The tirstcost of theyy machineis reduced.

Y A.'Ihe-'product of themachinezis much softer Y and ofa higher grade than that fromthe `machinesheretofore on the market. This'is l dueto the fact that the machine has a unifabric turned out form gentle action'onjthe goods VWithout stretch, stressv or strain'.A V Consequently theY filling is not pulled'out of place, figures are not distorted and tender stripes of such maf:

Aterials as artificial silk are not damaged. The

' Other` objects and advantages of theinven'i- 'ing drawings in whichf v .i

tion will appear hereinafter. 5

Y Reference istolbe had to the accompany# rFig. 1 is aside View .of a wet finishing *plant Withthe ,sidewall of one vofthe Washers rethis invention; and

o Fig. 2 is a plan of the sa-inesomewhatdia-` grammatic'in form Withfsome partsiomitted.

Theoperationof the Ywashii'iginachine 9 is` similar to that of many machines on the market Withthe exceptions vwhich .have beennoted above. The-material comes in from the kier as indicated in the extreme right handin Y Fig. 1 ina single strand andpasses over the first roll- -10 into them'ain rolls llldriveiiby'- 'a' motor'SLV Thisstrand passes down intoY the if bowl andcollects in thebottomin'thejform of folds Y7 which slide down thegently curved v` bottom to the lowest part thereof; @Then it is drawn up again over* the front roll" 10y and Y vbetween* the squeeze rolls 11 at a Vpoint atfthe side of thefirst strand. It then goes around throughV them Where A it projects upwardly.

Y All this't-ime it is loose andafreeland 'never underten'sion. v

' @The liquor `is squeezed out ofthc several strands and collected in a suds boxp-12.v This vis full of impurities and isrungof through an outlet l3`to la point outsidezthe machine or into the sewer. This liquor therefore isl not againinixed with the liquor Vin the bottomV ofthe bowl, but isY discharged fand has no further (.ontaniinatiiigv effect* on the goods.

As the goods coinerup tliesnbstanti ally vertical line to the top-'rolllOiir' afs'eries of Vstrands across the washeigtlieyare subjectedV to jets'of freshWatertroma'water .manifold 14 through a nozzle 15 opposite eachgsti'ing of goods.;A This assistsmaterially in cleansingand rinsing. These. nozzles are"located for this purpose.

y directlv above the levelfofliquorln the bowl is with a very fine pliable Y'I'heseveral V'strands go from the main rolls up overV- the threebarfolding cleat roll 16 which rotates constantly and has. three Vbais projecting-fat equal distances apart and ex- I tending across the tub. vThis roll folds each i strand backand fforthgagaiiist the slanting back of the tub, and thellast strand goes from it intoan insideJbox 17 This box provides a fciv yardsof slack between the nip ofthel main rollsv 11V and the; wringer rolls 2O so that the goods are not under tension in? passi 1. ing from one to the other, even'in case lof shrinkage; This isaprinciple that is Vadopted throughout Vand iti-Will be seenthat the goods: cannot vbe 'pntu under VYtension at any mentally and's'ecu'res the vbest operating conditions Yas shown.; The shape of the gentle Y Y v e curve of the back andbottomfoffthe,tub is a 1- moved to ,show a preferred lembodiment of very importantffactor toenable the several strands of material to go through.' their regular coursewithout tangling yand similar mechaiiical troubles. f This also has been Worked f but gently curved surfacetolet the. folds down gently to the bottom'rbyVr` gravity.'y iInvthis j way theseveral strands slide Ydown the curve towardthe front of theinachine in uniform Vorderlyfolds, eachnstrand in its own path, Without Ydoubling Vforward or side-ways and Ythus preventing tangling.V

i VThe Wringer (or sqneezeiolls) 20 is shown as attached directly tothe delivery end of i the washer. This isnan improvement over the standard practiceof having itairanged vas an entirely'separate machine with a separate Adrive. kIn thc present case the drive is directly from: the washer itself through lutely in syiiclii'onismA with the main rolls.V

This .eliminates expanding pulleys, slip clutches, etc. and prevents any tensionl due to one machine working faster or slower than,`

the other.V *It also'rediices the expense ofinstallation. both rst `cost and operating expenses. VAt'thc bottom of the wringer is an apron 30 for'dircctingthe liquor back into f Ythetuh and saving it.

VThe plant isfshon'n as involving the usual reel machine 21 and oxidizing imichinc22-and then as going-through a second washer 2J); Y

rcel machine 24 and a final washer These washers are all niade alike and the description given one of them applies to all.

, It will be sceiithat all thc. ahovc advau-` tages are secured in connection with thil Washers 9, 23 and Qiuidtliat the whole plant Y is rendered moie'eliicient at'eacli point where iio sprocket-chains 29;'50 that it operates absof washing is done. The various advantages of the invention having been described in the preamble, they will not be repeated here.

Although I have illustrated and described only a single form of the invention I am aware of the fact thatmodifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art withoutl departing from the scope 'of the invention as expressed inthe claims. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and described, but what Ido claim is r' 1. VIn a wet linishing machine, the combination with means for preparing the goods and a washing bowl, of a pair of main rollsin the bowl, adapted to receive a'strand of goods -therebetween, the bowl having slantingl rear surface having a gentle curve extending toward the front for receiving the strand after it leaves the rolls, a front roll near the front of the machine to which the strand passes upwardly and then directly through the main rolls, a folding'cleat roll above Vthev main rolls but to one side, for receiving each strand and folding it against the l curved back of the bowl, an inside J-box in position for receiving the advance strand fromV the `cleat roll in a folded condition in the saine vertical plane as the other strands, and squeeze rolls mounted on the bowl for receiving the strand from the J-box and delivering it, whereby the .goods are kept in a loose untensioned condition throughout the washing operation. Y

2. Thecombination with a washing tub, of apair of mainrolls, `adapted to receive a Y strand of goods therebetween,.the tub having machine, al front roll for receivingthe strand a slanting rear surface having agentle curve extendmg toward the front for receivlng one strand indirectly from-the rolls, said strandV extending upwardly 'near lthe front of the and directing it again through the main rolls at a different point, and a folding cleat roll,

'l to one side, above the main roll and at the rear for receiving the strands therefrom and so located as to drop the strands in a folded condition on the slantingrear surface `of the,V

tub, said strands passinggin thev same way throughV the main rolls, `folding roll, and.

` goods inra slack'condition between the mail -V Vrolls and the wringingdevice. Y

Y 4; The process of .wet finishing textile ma-` terialswhich consists in leading a continuous strand of the goods between a pan' of main rolls, .repeatedly passing the' samefstrand in a1 general khelical direction Vbetween the main Y rolls, then leadingthem'ton wringing de.- -vice, keepingthe goods in a slack, condition between themaini rolls and the wringing device, and rinsingeach strand of the-` goods as they pass upwardly to the main rolls during the washing operation.`

5.The processof wet finishing .teirtile ma,-

terials'whichconsistsin leading a continuous ystrand of the goods between 'a pair of main.l

rolls,'.repeatedly passing. the ,same lstrand in a generalhelical directionbetween the main rolls, leaving them loose at allpoints'onboth ,sides of the'main-liolls, thenl wringing them and keeping the goods in a slack` condition betweenfthe main'. rolls andthe wringing dei vice.

In a wetfini'shing machinethe combi'-I nation with awashing tuborrbowhiof a pair of mainfrolls adapted to receive a strandof goods therebetween, a'front roll fory directing the strand-thereto, and guiding itvupratthe front of the machine,and directingitagain throughthe main rolls, said goods passing in the same way through theliquorandmain rolls several times and havingva separate path L at all Jtimes for the different strands, a-'J-box y for receiving the advance, stra-nd, inl a folded condition-,a wri'nger mounted on the .tub for receiving lthe strand from the livering infrom thetub:

of main rolls adapted to'receive a` strand of Vgoods therebetween, a front rollfoveriwhich the strand passes, andguiding it up at'the `front/of themachine, and'ldirecting it again J-boi( i and dei Y 'Z. -In a wet finishing;machineithecombi# nation with awashing tnbor bowl, of a pair through the ,Inai'n rolls,-saidl goods passing in the same waythrough theliquor and main at all times for thedierent strands, a J-box for-receiving theadvance strand in a folded l condition, a wringer mounted onlthe tub for receivingthe strand from the J-boX and delivering .it from the tub, and means for; driving *the wringerin synchronism with the main rolls. 1 4 h Y .8. In a washingmachine, the Vcombination witha tub, of a'pairV ofsmain rolls adapted to' receive a strand,w of goodstherebetween, a

folding cleat roll above the' main rollsand to i one sidev forfreceiving thexs't'rands and folding them.Y against thebaek ofv the bowl, sthe tub -liavinga slanting reansurface vhaving a gentlefcurve extendingtoward the front forv` receiving` the strand fromthe cleat roll, a front roll'forreceiving. ltliefstrand upwardly from the liquor in the tub anddirectinglit :again `throughlthe mainrolls at different lpoints therealong, said strandsfpa'ssingl inthe same way through the main rolls several times, ane inside J'-boX for Vreceiving thef'advance strand fromfthe cleat roll in a foldedcondition', and

squeezel rolls mounted onk the tub for. receiv- 11.55 rolls several times and'having-a `separate path l in the'strand from the J-box and delivering it rom Ythe tub, whereby the goods are kept in a loose untensioned condition throughout the Washing operation, andV means for driving` the squeeze rolls in synchronism with theV main rolls. Y' i9.7In a wet washin Vmachine, the combination with a'.l tub, o a` pair of'mainv rolls adapted to receive :a-vstrand of goods therelo between,means for receivin the strand there# Y Vfrom and directing it to t e bottom of thel tub, afront roll for receivin `4the strand from the bottom of the tubfan directing it iagain' through the Inain'rrolls, Vsaid strand passing in the same way inf laps through the main rolls several times, V,and meansjfor spraying fresh water against the several laps f Y as they lmove upwardly in the'tub at a point betweenthe surface of the liquor in thetub Y and theV front roll for rinsing the goods, an

inside J-box forreceiving the advance lap in a folded condition, and Vmeans separate Vfrom Y said main rollsY for receiving said 'lap :from

the J-box and wrn ing the same.

I "e 10. Ina'we't wasing machine, the'combination with a tub, of"V a pair ofmain rolls adapted tofrecreive astrand offgoods there-V between andlfeed the'strand along, means to repeatedly pass the same' strandv in a 'general au helical direction between thernain rolls,leav

ing it loose'at alle points onboth sides ofthe l main rolls, and a wringing -device in positionv for receivingand keeping the goods in a'slack condition between `the main rolls and the 1 35 wringing device. Y* i o 1 Y 11. `In a -wet washing machine, the combination with a tub,v of a'pair of `1nainrollsV adapted to receive a strand of goods t-here-Y between and feed the strand along, means to o repeatedlypass the same strand in a general l' helical direction between themain rolls'leav- Y Aing it loose'at all pointson both sides of the main rolls, and an inside J'box for'- receiving K v an advance strand of the goods from the main '.15 rollsand adapted to Ydeliver'said strand to v the-"wringenVVV l Y n 12.-.Ina1wet washing machine, the combinationV with a tub, of apir of main rollsl A adapted tol receive a strand of,l oods therebetweenand feed the strand a ong, means to repeatedlyY pass'V the samestrand in a 'general `helical direction 'between the main l rolls, leavingit'lloose `at all pointson both sides of the main rolls,'a wringingfdevice, and

'55 means `for rinsing'each'strand V,of-the goods as it 'passesfupwardly tothe main rollsduring the washing operation. l

In testimony Vwhereof I' 'have` hereunto' Q- affixed Iny'signature.l V Y l l k160) "z 7' k"HOMVER C. RIGGS. 

